Hours later, the girl was found at a relative's home in Oakland, police said. Mendez has not been found.
CALIFORNIA TARGET CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEIF RUN OVER, KILLED BENEATH VICTIM'S VEHICLE
California authorities said Crystal Mendez abducted her 2-year-old daughter Tayana yesterday in San Jose. (San Jose Police Department)
Mendez is a "heavy drug user" and has ties to San Francisco Tenderloin District, a hub for drug use and sales.
"Due to drug use and arrests she was deemed not fit to care for her child. Family Services placed the child with a guardian and the suspect abducted her," a police tweet states.
Mendez has a tattoo of "Dante" on her back, authorities said.
Police released images of Mendez and the girl leaving an apartment in San Jose. She is seen pushing a stroller outside the building.
"Help us find Tayana" the department said in a tweet.
Images released by police show Crystal Mendez pushing a stroller with her daughter, who she allegedly abducted. (San Jose Police Department)
Mendez is 5-foot-1, weighs 150 pounds, and has long brown hair and brown eyes, according to a police description. She was wearing a white, hooded jacket, black, skinny jeans with ripped knees and dark-colored sneakers.
The child was wearing a white jacket with pink sleeves and blue pants, police said.